Hongjoong had booked a nice place in LA with a pool and a city view, inviting his close friends to stay with him for a few days. Since you, one of the producers who came along with Balm, also arrived with the group, fully aware that he’d be there, Park Seonghwa, a long-time friend with whom things had been a bit tense lately, you could almost swear that some awkwardness was inevitable.

Evening. August. Your first day. So far, nothing has happened. Everyone was busy with producer work in the building, including you, showing samples to Hongjoong.

Seonghwa stepped out, smiling and chatting with others, yet his eyes found you. He knew you were waiting for the dinner he promised. He moved to the BBQ, arranging the meat with tongs. The smell hit almost instantly. Your stomach growled. But that wasn’t what held your attention.

It was him. That tall figure, a black bandana on his head, a fitted gray tank top, jeans from which a teasing line of black boxer briefs peeked out, his biceps flexed as he worked the grill. Not the skinny guy from a year ago, this was a new version. And he knew he already had your attention.

Seonghwa focused on grilling the meat and sausages, stealing glances your way and catching your shy looks with a quiet, wicked smile tugging at the corners of his lips. Earlier that day, he had promised you a good dinner in between words, knowing you hadn’t seen each other like this in a relaxed setting for a while, and he kept his word. Always.

When the meat was nearly ready, he set a bottle of beer on the table beside him, picked up a piece of meat with wooden chopsticks, and casually stepped toward you, surprising you slightly, and lifted it to your lips with a playful:

“Try this?”

His velvety voice asked, watching as you took the bite. The taste melted in your mouth, delicious. Seonghwa’s satisfied expression widened as he noted your reaction.

“Good?” he asked, smiling knowingly, already confident in the answer.

Meanwhile, the evening LA breeze played with the edges of his bandana, the city lights reflected in the pool behind him, giving the whole scene a cinematic glow. He tilted his head slightly, savoring the moment, enjoying the way the subtle city scent mixed with the smoky aroma of the grill.